Measuring system



Jy 1 8, 19. -1... 1 wElsGLAss 293535979 MEASURING SYSTEM Filed July 4. 1942 ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1944 's `Westinghouse Electrica, Manufacturing C om-|` Ipany, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporationpf, ,A

l Pennsylvania 1 Alipiieauonfgely `1, 1942,

. 15 Claims. The invention relates 'to `X-ra'y apparatus, and more specifically to measuring" systems for 'indieating" the load condition of ,an` X-'rayftube in order to prevent overload exposures.

It is known to provide X-'ray exposure with blocking means for excluding adjustment combinations,v as regards anode current, anode voltagel and exposuretime which, when applied to the tube, would result in overheating thetuhe anodeor target. Such means are ,insuilicient when starting the intended exposure'with the tube still heated fromprevious'exposures; Eur,- thermore, these blocking devicesfas,vvell'as the known protective relays for interrupting'th tube energization upon the occurrence ofov'erloads, do not permitl determining in advance and with sufcient accuracy whether an intended vexposure will stay within the safe load limitofthetube,

if the exposure is to be started 'immediately'or shortly afterv a preceding exposure, i e. with a preheated tube anode.

object of the inventionis to; provide means for determining at any moment theithern'ial conf dition of an X-ray tube for the purpose r'ofi-preventing overloads. More particularly, the inven` tion aims at providing a measuring system which alords a visual indication of the yinstantaneous thermal load condition Aof thetube caused bythe integrated effects of preceding' exposures' :and cooling periods. v 1 l" ,f

A measuringsystem of this character-could be built by using thermometricfor pyrometric elements for measuring the target temperature ofthe tube. However, suchdirectly-measuring systems would 'involve' considerable' difficulty'. Hence,y another object of the invention is" to perL forni Vthe above-mentioned 'fmeas'uring operation with the aidof non-thermal measuring elements and, more particularly, by means of an'elec'trical measuring circuit cooperating with the electrical operating Vnetwork ofthe tube.

An object also is todesignwsuc'h a measuring system lso "as to `loe automatically adjusted" to changes inthe energy supply tothe X-ray tube, in order to obtain a suliiciently accurate measur; ing result without requiring other manualadjustments than those ordinarily necessary' for operating an X-ray apparatus. A still further objectvof the'invention is to achieve the desired measuring operation by electrical circuit' means, i. e.ewithout appreciable mechanical complications ofthe switch mechanisms and the like Acontrol apparatus ordinarily required for X-ra'yfap.- parat'uaand iny order to obtainwa device of esmall compass and reliable operation; --1 i l systems According'td the invention, an integrating measuring system is connected with the energizing n'etwork'of the X-ray tube so as to produce a'fmea'su'ring magnituder corresponding to the integer of the electrical loads vimposed onthe K ray tube'during one or several exposures. This measuring system contains means for reducing -the'integral load magnitude at a rate of reduction corresponding approximately to the heat dissipation of the tube-,in particular during the inoperative intervals between exposures -andvaiter the last exposure. An indicating instrument, such'asa meter or recorder, is disposed inthe measuring system for effecting an indicatior'r in accordance with the resultant measuring magnitude.- The instrument reading thus obtained islindicative lofthe thermal condition of the'tube `and can vbe'calibrated in heat units (kv. majisecJ' 1 =S y Incanother aspect-vof the invention, the inte- 'gratingelement ofthe measuringsystem is an electric capacitor connected withthe .X-ray ap- 'paratus:to` be charged during exposure periods bya current corresponding tothe anode current .of the X-raytubeinA order to build up a capaci- Ktor voltage representative of the anode load, this -voltage being measured f and indicated by the properly; calibrated instrument. VA leakage or :bleed'er-v resistance, lrated for discharging the ca- .pacitor iniaccordance'with the cooling rate ofthe tube,l is employed `for; simulating the eiect of the "heat idissipation. In this` connection, it should be borne in mind that the temperature function of itheX-ray tubeisrelated to time T=f(t). This'yrelationship is ian exponential function and is; similar -tol the discharge curve of a capacitor ,whenleakingfoff or discharging through a re- 'sistorgy which: latter` is also; anexponential function.` Bychoosing the right resistor (timecons iaritg) ,theytemperature--function' of the X-ray ,tubeandgthe' discharge-,curve of the capacitor through the resistor canwbe lmade to coincide, `thus making one thecharacteristic ofV the other.

,According to another feature ofthe invention, lthe `charging circuit of the integrating capacitor contains, a variable resistance Idevice for adjusting the time constant of the circuit.. jPreferably, theh-,variableE ,device is coupled; WithY -selector L,mesansftin `particularl the kilovoltage'selector, of vthe'tube:network sothat any change inthe operating y.conditions ofrthe ntubej adjustedA bythe -operator'elects automatically, i.; e., withoutre- 'quiringattention onLthe part of fthe operator, a 'corresponding adaptation ofthe measuring sys- :tenL t Y It is also a feature of the invention to simplify and improve the accuracy of the measuring operation by inserting into the circuit of the abovementioned capacitor and bleeder resistance a control device for rendering the resistance inoperative during the charging periods of the capacitor.

The invention involves also a `design of -the measuring instrument proper so as to indicate directly the instantaneous load capacity of the X-ray tube available for an exposure after any transpired load history of the apparatus.

These and other features as well as further objects of the invention will become/apparent from the following description `of the embodiment illustrated in the drawing.

Fig. 1 shows a complete circuit diagram of an viewing briefly the foregoing, it will be seen that X-ray apparatus provided with a measuring system according to the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are explanatory and show voltage and load characteristics, respectively, with reference to the system of Fig. 1.

The X-ray apparatus represented in Fig. 1 is designed as follows. The operatingalternating current is supplied through input terminalsv IU to main leads Il and thence to a regulating device consisting in the embodiment illustrated of an autotransformer I 2. The primary connection of this transformer with the main leadsv includes a selector switch I3 whosefselector contacts are connected with corresponding transformer taps. This selector switch serves to adjust the transformer tap according toline voltage. The secondary connections of the transformer include two selector switches I4 and I5 having their respective vrows of contacts connected with secondary taps of the transformer coil in order to adjust the anode voltage (kilovoltage) of the tube. Selector switch I 34 serves for making rough adjustments, such for example in units of tens, While switch |4 permits/a: finer selection in terms of units of `the desired voltage value. The primary I6 of a high voltage transformer is connected with the selector switches I4 and I5 by a circuit .|8. The high voltage secondary of transformer II contains two coil sections I9 and 20 whosemidpoint is grounded at 2|, a potentiometer resistor 22 being inserted in the ground connection. The end points of the secondary coil sections I9 and 20 vare/connected with a rectiiier bridge 23 which in turn is connected with the anode circuit ofthe X-ray tube 24. f V'Ihe circuit |8 is ledvover the contacts 25 of a relay whose relay winding 26 -is' energized through a timing device 21 fed from the main leads I I over a timer switch 28. The timing device permits selecting the exposure time and,"after being started by operating the switch 28, energizes the winding 26 during the desired period Vby closing the contacts for a corresponding length of time. The portion of the system described thus far, excepting the arrangement ofthe potentiometric resistor 22, is substantially similar to customary X-ray apparatus. As mentioned before, the system also provides for selecting the exposure time. l

The adjustable contact 30 of the potentiometer resistance 22 is connected by a lead 3| with'the movable contact 32 of a resistance device 33 for adjusting the time constant of the measuring circuit, as will be more fully explained ina later paragraph. The group 0f resistance vunits -of the device 34 .is connected to the cathode 35l of a rectifier tube 36. The heater 31 of this `tube the voltage drop between points 30 and 2| of the resistor22, this voltage drop depending upon -l5' the milliamperage of the X-ray tube, causes a corresponding current to flow in the anode circuit 3 I, 52 of the rectifier 36. Consequently, when thel X-ray tube is energized, the condenser is charged over resistance device 33, rectier 36 and resistor 5| by a current dependent upon the anode current of the X-ray. tube.

A discharge or leakagefresistor is connected across the condenser SEI/through a control 'tube 6|. This tube has three grids 62, 63 and 64 disposed between its cathode v and anode 66. Grid 63 and vanode 66 are connected to the leakage resistor 60, while the remaining electrodes are connected to both ends of the series resistor 5`| respectively. The heating element 6'I of the cathode 65 is energized from another secondary 68 of the auxiliary transformer 40.

While, as explainedpreviously.the condenser 5|] is charged in accordance 4with the current supply to the X- ray tube and hence tends to assume avoltage, drop indicative of the time-.integrated anode load, the leakage resistor 50 serves to simulate the cooling conditionsof the X-ray tube, in particularbetween exposures, Iand causes a gradual discharge of the condenser 50 in accordance with the declining temperature of `the X-ray tube. As a result, the voltage1 across the condenser 50 at any given moment can be taken as measure ofthe thermal `load condition of the X-ray tube, as hereinbefore explained, provided, of course, theA elements of the network are properly rated and adjusted as will be set forth more fully hereinafter. Y, l .f

In order to determine and indicate this voltage drop across condenser 50, a voltmeter tube'l, connected with a meter 80, is provided. The grid 1|, here used as an anode,r operates with a low A. C. voltage supplied by a. secondary I8 of the auxiliary transformer 40. The cathode 'I2 l.is connected with the measuring condenser 8,6, a switch being insertedpermitting to sever the connection and to place a .resistor4 14` in series with the tube circuit for adjusting the zero indication of the meter 80. A potentiometer 8| fed from another 4secondary 88 of the' transformer 4| serves for selecting the necessary plate (grid)l voltage of the voltmeter tube 'I0 when performing thejustmentioned zero adjustment. Y

While the meter 8D in effectmeasures a voltage, i. e., the voltage across the measuring vcondenser 50, it has been shown in the foregoing that the charge imposed on the condenser, and hence the magnitude of the voltage,1 dependson the power (current `and voltage) suppliedto the X-ray tube as well as on the exposure time and the cooling conditions of the tube. Consequently, thev scale ofthe instrument :80. isgpreferably gauged in heat units (kv. ma. sec.) .ranging yfrom zero to the permissible time maximum,fthe latter @being .usually determined lby the thermal load maximum of the X-rayfanode. f

The purpose of the control tube 6I is to'blocky In order to .obtain an accurate indication and an instrument scale of simple gradation, the-volty age built up across the measuring condenser 50 should maintain a sufficient proportionality, between two limit potentials, to the voltagedrop (E) acrossthe terminals (2| and 30) of the potentiometer 22. When charging the condenser with a current of a given voltage, the condenser voltage increases in accordance with a non-linear rate of change, as exemplified by curve v in Fig. 2 showing the voltage drop in dependence upon the charging time. In the diagram, E represents the magnitude of the driving voltage derived from the potentiometer. that if the highest measuring voltage to be obtained at the condenser 50 is kept much lower than the potentiometer voltage, the condenser voltage E' remains within the initial portion of the curve v and increases virtually in linear proportion to the charging time.

For this reason, the constants of the condenser circuit are preferably so chosen that the lowest expected voltage drop in the potentiometer re-v sistor 22 is several times larger than the highest voltage of the condenser 50, i. e., the magnitudes of the resistances in the potentiometer-condenser circuit relative to the capacity of the 'condenser should be dimensioned in accordance with the desired time constant. The variable resistance device 33 permits adjusting the time constant in accordance with the selected anode voltage of the X-ray tube, and is preferably connected with the voltage selector I4, for instance, by a mechanical transmission as represented (in broken lines) at 90. Such a connection has the advantage that the charging circuit of the condenser is automatically adjusted when setting the desired anode voltage (kilovoltage) of the X-ray apparatus. For instance, when selector M is set for a low kilovoltage, say 30 kv., the contact 32 of device 33 inserts a higher resistance, that is, Va greater number of resistance steps into the charging circuit as when the selector is set for a higher voltage, for instance of 70 kv.

The diagram of Fig. 3 exemplifies an operation of an X-ray apparatus and refers to a case where four successive exposuresare made stressing the tube cumulatively up to its maximum safe heat capacity. The thermalv load L is shown by curve h in dependence upon time. In the example, the rst exposure stresses the tube up to the condition Arepresented by point A of curve h. The subsequent exposures increase the thermal load to B, C and D, the latter being reached after the fourth exposure and corresponding to the safe maximum load shown as L=50,000. An immediately following additional exposure would cause overloading. Hence, the tube must now be permitted to cool, following the declining branch of curve h, until in the example the thermalload becomes Zero.

As explained in the foregoing, the constants of the charging circuit are so chosen that the voltage built up across the condenser 50 corresponds to the energy supply and hence to the production of anode heat in the X-ray tube. The recooling ofthe anode represented by the declining branch of curve h follows an exponential relation between temperature and time. The voltagedecay of a condenser discharged over an ohmic resistor involves also an exponential voltage-to-time relation. Consequently, the cooling of the X-ray anode can be initiated with high accuracy by properlydimensioning the leakage resistor 60. r

It will be seeny the resistor 60 from the discharging circuit dur. ing the time of charging shocks `(exposures) and to prevent a voltage division between the resistors 5l, 34 and 60. During a charging shock, the volt-z age drop in resistor 5| builds up a negative bias on the control grid 64 in tube 6I, thus producing the blocking effect. i As a. result of the above-described operation of the measuring network, the voltage across condenser .f 50 and the indication effected by the meter portray the thermal condition of the X-ray tube and hence, in the example underlying thediagram of Fig.` 3, are also represented by curve hin the diagram. 1

In order to give an example of numerical values, reference is again made to the abovementioned type of X-ray tube having a maximum safe heat capacity of 50,000 units and a cooling rate of 10,000 units per minute, these values applying in fact to one of the available tube types (rotating anode). Assuming that the kilovolt-v age of the X-ray tube is adjustable between 30 and kv., the constants of the measuring system shown in Fig. l may be chosen as follows: Resistance 22 may have 1700 ohms, resistance 34 a total of l2 megohms, resistance 60 may have 50 megohms, while 6 megohms may be chosen for resistance v5I at a vcapacity of condenserV 50 of 6 mf., using the tubetypes R. C. A.- 84 at 3S, R. C. A. 5'7 at 6I, and R. C. A. 45 at l0, or equivalent tube types. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the scale of the indicating instrument is so marked that the instrument, when not using the X-ray tube, indicates a value corresponding to the total heat storagei capacity of the X-ray tube, for `instance 50,000 units, While the reading decreases lto lower values when operatingthe tube, depending upon the corresponding reduction of the remaining safe `heat capacity of the tube. For instance, at a total capacity of the X-ray tube of 50,000 units, an expo-sure of 500 ma., 60 kv. and 1%, second will cause the meter to read 50,000-(500.60.al-)=47,000 units atthe termination of the exposure.- During subsequent exposures, the reading of the meter Will decrease accordingly until, eventually, it will show zero, thereby indicating that the tube can take nc further exposures without overheating. In intervals between exposures, the reading will increase at a rate in proportion to the cooling rate of the X-ray tube of, for instance, approximately 10,000 units per minute. At any instant, the operator can determine from the instrument .reading whether the tube is ready for an exposure by multiplying-the kilovolts, milliamperes and seconds of the intended exposure, and 'checking whether the product is within the instrument reading. For example, if the operator 'intends to use 60 kv. and 500 ma. during 1/2 of a second. the meter must read at least 60.500.1/2=15,000. If the meter reads less than 15,000, the operator will have to wait until the tube has cooled down and the meter indication declined sufficiently to permit an additional energy input of 15,000 units. It will be understood that the X-ray apparatus and measuring system exemplified in the foregoing can be modified in various respects without departing from the scope of this invention. For instance, when the tube load is measured by another integrating measuring systemv connected with the energizing network of the X-,ray tube, the provision of circuit means or other4 de-A vices `for reducing the ,measured integral` .energy magnitude at a rate corresponding substantially to the cooling rate of the tube would likewise afford a resultant eiect or instrument reading indicative of the thermal condition of the tube, substantially in accordance with the operation set forth in the foregoing. It is preferred, howeverl to employ as the integrating element a capacitor, and as the dissipation-simulating element a leakage resistance because of the reliability, adjustability, simplicity and little space requirements of electrical measuring systems of this type.

It will thus become obvious to those skilled in the art that an X-ray system is herein provided in which the load condition of an X-ray tube can be readily determined by an operator simply by glancing at a meter. Since the meter at any moment gives an indication of the load condition of the tube, the operator can readily discern what subsequent loading can be applied to the tube without a detrimental overloading thereof.

Although one specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that other modications thereof can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with an X-ray apparatus having an X-ray tube and electric circuit means connected with said tube for supplying energy thereto, a, measuring system comprising energy accumulating means connected to said circuit means for accumulating energy proportional to the energy supplied to said tube, simultaneously with energization of the latter, discharge means connected With said energy accumulating means for reducing the accumulated energy substantially in accordance with the heat dissipation in said tube, and means connected to said energy accumulating means for indicating the energy ac cumulated therein at any moment as a measure of the load condition of said tube.

2. In combination with an X-ray apparatus, a measuring system comprising energy accumulating means electrically connected to said X-ray apparatus for accumulating electrical energy therein proportional to the energy consumption of said X-ray apparatus simultaneously with energization of the latter, means connected to said first mentioned means for consuming the energy accumulated therein at a rate corresponding to the heat dissipation in said X-ray apparatus, and means connected to said first mentioned means for indicating the amount of energy accumulated therein at any given moment as a measure of the thermal condition of said X-ray apparatus.

3. In combination with an X-ray apparatus, a measuring system comprising a capacitor connected with the Y-ray apparatus so as to be charged during the exposure periods with current dependent upon the energy consumption of said apparatus, a leakage path connected with said capacitor and having a time constant substantially corresponding to that of the heat dissipation in said X-ray apparatus, and voltagemeasuring means connected with said capacitor and comprising an instrument for indicating the voltage built up across said capacitor as a measure of the load of the X-ray apparatus.

4. In combination with an X-ray apparatus, a measuring system comprising a capacitor connected With the X-ray apparatus so as to be charged during thev exposure periods with current dependent upon the energy consumption of said apparatus, a leakage resistance disposed in parallel to said capacitor for discharging said capacitor in accordance with the heat dissipation in said apparatus, and voltage-measuring means connected with said capacitor and comprising an instrument for indicating the voltage built up across said capacitor as a measure of the thermal load condition of the X-ray apparatus.

5. In combination with an X-ray apparatus having an X-ray tube and an operating network for energizing said tube, a measuring system comprising a capaciton, ar charging circuit connecting said capacitor with said network so as to charge said capacitor with current depending upon the energy supplied to said tube, a leakage resistance connected with said charging circuit for discharging said capacitor and being rated in accordance with the heat dissipation of said tube, and measuringv means connected with said capacitor for determining the capacitor voltage as indicative of the thermal condition of said tube. l

6. In combination with an X-ray apparatus having an X-ray tube and an operating network for energizing said tube, a measuring system comprising a capacitor, a charging circuit connecting said capacitor with said network so as to charge said capacitor with current depending upon the energy supplied to said tube, variable resistance means disposed in said charging circuit for adjusting the time constant of the latter, leakage means connected with said capacitor for discharging it at a rate similar to that of the heat dissipation of said tubey and measuring means connected with said capacitor for determining the capacitor voltage as indicative of the thermal condition of said tube.

'7. In combination with an X-ray apparatus, a measuring system comprising a capacitor connected with the X-ray apparatus so as to be charged during the exposure periods with current dependent upon the energy consumption of said apparatus, circuit means connected with said capacitor for discharging the latter and being so rated as to simulate the cooling conditions of said apparatus, a control device responsive to the charging of said capacitor for blocking said discharging circuit means during charging periods, and voltage-measuring means connected with said capacitor and comprising an instrument for indicating the voltage built up across said capacitor as a measure of the thermal load condition of said apparatus.

8. The combination with an X-ray apparatus having an X-ray tube, a network for supplying energy to said tube, and selector means in said network for adjusting said energy, of a measuring system for determining the load condition of said tube comprising a capacitor, a charging cir-` cuit connecting said capacitor and said network for charging said capacitor in dependence upon the magnitude and during the supply periods of said energy, said charging circuit containing variable resistance means for adjusting its time constant, said resistance means being connected with said selector means of said network so as to be adjusted automatically in accordance with the setting of said selector means, a leakage path connected with said capacitor and having a time constant substantially corresponding to that of the heat dissipation in said X-ray apparatus, and measuring means connected with said capacitor for determiningl the capacitor voltage as a measure of the load of said tube.

9. An X-ray apparatus, comprising an X-ray tube, a network for supplying rated anode energy to said tube, potentiometric circuit means arranged in said network to produce a voltage proportional to said energy, a condenser connected with said circuit means to be charged by said voltage, resistance means inserted between said condenser and said device whereby the highest voltage built up across said condenser remains several times lower than the voltage of said potentiometric circuit means, a resistance arranged across said condenser for discharging it at a rate corresponding to that oi the heat dissipation of said tube, and voltage-measuring means connected with said condenser for determining the condenser voltage as a measure of the thermal condition of said tube.

10. An X-ray apparatus, comprising an X-ray tube, a network for supplying rated anode energy to said tube, a voltage source associated with said network to produce a voltage proportional to said anode energy, a charging circuit containing a condenser and resistance means and being connected to said voltage source Vfor charging said condenser in dependence upon said energy supply and at a rate corresponding to the production oi anode heat in said tube, a resistor connected with said charging circuit for discharging said condenser at a rate corresponding to the anode heat dissipation of said tube, a control tube connected with said resistor for blocking it from said condenser responsive to the flow of charging current from said source to said condenser, and voltage-measuring means connected with said condenser for determining its voltage as an indication of the heat condition of said tube.

11. An X-ray apparatus, comprising an X-ray tube, an adjustable current source for supplying anode current of selected voltage and intensity to said tube, an intermediate transformer having a primary connected with said source and a high voltage secondary connected with said tube, said secondary comprising two sections arranged in series and grounded at their midpoint, a potentiometer resistance inserted between said sections, a charging circuit connected with said potentiometer resistance to derive therefrom a voltage proportional to the anode current of said tube, said circuit containing a condenser and a variable resistor in series-connection for producing a voltage across said condenser at a rate corresponding to the integral of said anode current over its flow period, a leakage resistor connected with said condenser for dissaid tube, and means connected with said measuring system for modifying said indication at a rate corresponding to the heat dissipation of said tube, whereby the resultant indication at any given moment is a measure of the thermal condition of said tube.

13. The combination with an X-ray apparatus having an X-ray tube and a network for supplying energizing current to said tube, oi an integrating measuring system connected with said network for producing a measuring magnitude dependent on the energy supplied to said tube, means connected with said measuring system for reducing said magnitude at a rate corresponding to the heat dissipation in said tube, and a measuring instrument disposed in said system responsive to the resultant magnitude for eiecting a variable indication representing at any given moment the thermal condition of said tube.

14. The combination with an X-ray apparatus having an X-ray tube and a network for supplying energizing current to said tube, of an integrating measuring system connected with said network for producing a measuring magnitude dependent on the energy supplied to said tube, means connected with said measuring system for reducing said magnitude at a rate corresponding to the heat dissipation in said tube, and a measuring instrument disposed in said system responsive to the resultant magnitude for effecting a variable indication representing the thermal condition of said tube, said instrument being calibrated in heat units and having an indicating scale marked so as to show the maximum safe heat capacity of said tube when the latter is cold and the available reduced capacity down to the zero value after said tube has been in operation.

15. A load meter system for use in connection with the energizing A. C. network of an X-ray tube, comprising a circuit element to be connected with the energizing network, a charging circuit connected to said circuit element and containing in series-arrangement a condenser, resistance means and a tube rectifier for charging said condenser in dependence upon the energy supplied to said tube and at a rate corresponding to the anode heat developed in said tube by said energy, a leakage resistor connected with said circuit for discharging said condenser at a rate corresponding to the anode heat dissipation of said tube, a relay tube connected with said resistor and said circuit for blocking said discharge in response to said circuit delivering a charge to said condenser whereby said discharges are limited to inoperative periods of said tube, a tube voltmeter connected with said condenser for determining the voltage across said condenser as a measure of the heat condition of said tube, and a transformer having a plurality of secondary windings connected with said rectifier tube, control tube and tube voltmeter respectively so as to form the common current source of said tubes.

LOUIS L. WEISGMSS. 

